Name ONE thing you would tell a beginner poker player....

[lucky_mf]

[ QUOTE ]
Please don't wear sun glasses at the 2/4 limit table or the 1/2 NL table. Its not needed and you look like a fool! You'll most likely get picked on and tournamented verbally and schooled each time you are in the pot.
"If I had known what I know now when I was in YOUR SHOES..."

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never played a live hand of poker in a casino, but when I do I'm definetly wearing sunglass (and probably my Full Tilt Hat as well). The fact that people will think I'm a dork makes more better IMO (the jokes on them).

Seriously though for new players - rakeback is big because you can deposit, play a bit, lose, and get shipped some money the next month so that you can do it all over again. I don't think there is anyway to get good without playing a ton and when you are a beginner you automatically suck. Anything you can do to reduce the rate at which you lose initially will allow you to play more, learn more, and become a better player.

Lucky

[FineVol]

Strive to be a tight aggresive player and study and play alot.

[googleit123]

"A minuite to learn, a lifetime to master."

[zerosum]

"Get a life."

[ChuckyB]

At the low limits...wait for good cards. You're going to have to show down winners. And don't be afraid to raise on a draw. Having the best of it doesn't always mean you're winning on the street that you're betting.

[mutiger91]

This is like saying "What one thing would you tell a new golfer?" There's lots to know.

I haven't read all the responses, but mine is get a hand selection chart and memorize positional starting requirements (then stick to it).

[fraac]

I reiterate, the correct strategy to learn poker is opposite to conventional wisdom. Be a maniac to learn to exploit edges, then gradually tighten up to stop giving edge away. 2+2 books and those who learned from them would rather patronise you and assume you can't afford to lose money, but if you are capable of learning, you're capable of learning the best way. You'll die of fear before you'll die from going bust.

[mutiger91]

Actually someone (I think it may have been Negreanu) suggested playing for a session in each style: loose passive, loose aggressive, tight passive and tight aggressive so you can learn to see the world from others' point of view...and exploit them.

Since tight-aggressive is generally correct, I can't say I buy into your concept of starting out as a LAG / maniac. LAG play is best saved for when you better understand a lot of subtle game situations. If you can't read well, you're not ready to be a LAG and losing money hand over fist can detract from your learning in a given session.

[Biggle10]

Fold more often.

[South Pole]

Dear player one,

Any response to this cascade of advice? Have you disappeared?